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PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE EDITING THE MAIN PAGE!

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First, understand: We want you to edit this page. Like nearly every other page on this site, the Main Page is open for anyone to edit. But it is the main welcome point for most new readers of Wikitravel, so we would prefer that changes first be discussed on the talk page: [[Talk:Main Page]]. Please discuss any proposed changes there ***BEFORE*** editing this page..

'''[[Wikitravel:About|Wikitravel]]''' is a project to create a [[:shared:Copyleft|free]], complete, up-to-date, and reliable '''worldwide travel guide'''. So far we have [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}]] destination guides and other articles written and edited by [[Wikitravel:Wikitravellers|Wikitravellers]] from around the globe. Check out the [[Wikitravel:Help|Help]] page to see how [[Wikitravel:Welcome, newcomers|you]] can edit any page '''right now''', or the [[Wikitravel:Project|Project]] page for more information about Wikitravel and getting involved.

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Since 2003, '''[[Wikitravel:About|Wikitravel]]''' is the original [[:shared:Copyleft|free]], complete, up-to-date and reliable worldwide travel guide, and is the [http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1809858_1809957_1811566,00.html premier travel wiki on the Internet]. So far we have [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFPAGES}}]] English-language pages written and edited by our [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFUSERS}}]] registered [[Wikitravel:Wikitravellers|Wikitravellers]] from around the globe, and [[:shared:Language_versions|thousands more in other languages]]. Check out the [[Wikitravel:Quick_contribution_guide|quick contribution guide]] to see how [[Wikitravel:Welcome, newcomers|you]] can edit any page, right now!

| DotMBlurb='''[[Ann Arbor]]''' is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities. <small>([[Ann Arbor|more...]])</small>

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| DotMBlurb= Boasting the largest ski area in North America, '''[[Whistler]]''' is a popular winter snow-skiing and outdoor sports destination near Vancouver. If skiing or boarding is your thing, it's hard to be disappointed with Whistler-Blackcomb resort!<small>([[Whistler|more...]])</small>

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| OTBPImage=[[Image:Voskresensky Sobor.jpg|none|200px]]

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| OTBPImage=[[File:Saba School of Medicine.jpg|none|right|320px]]

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| OTBPBlurb='''[[Staraya Russa]]''' is a small, historic town in the center of Novgorod Oblast, long famous domestically for its balneological mineral waters resort, but much more famous among international travelers as Dostoevsky's summer retreat, and the basis for the fictional town of Skotoprigonievsk in ''The Brothers Karamazov''. <small>([[Staraya Russa|more...]])</small>

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| OTBPBlurb= '''[[Saba]]''', known as "The Unspoiled Queen" due to the protection of its unique ecosystem, is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It's one of the top destinations in the world to go scuba diving due to its sheer underwater cliffs, pinnacles, and the multitude of diving locations surrounding the island that each offer a unique experience. The people in the local dive shops are very friendly and great at teaching inexperienced people how to dive. <small>([[Saba|more...]])</small>

{{newsitem| Eruption of Mount Sinabung in North_Sumatra|04 Jan| The emergency response to the eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra has been extended until January 4, 2014 as the volcano still shows signs of increased activity[http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/91899/sinabung-emergency-response-extended-until-january-4]}}

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{{newsitem|Earthquake off Indonesia triggers tsunami alert|11 April 2012|An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 8.7, which was felt as far away as [[India]], has struck near [[Aceh]] Province of [[Indonesia]]. A regional tsunami alert has been issued. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17675399]}}

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{{newsitem| Blizzard to reach from NYC to Boston Thursday night|02 Jan| During Thursday and Thursday night, the storm will affect 20 states with more than 120 million people in the [[Midwest_(United_States_of_America)]] and the Northeast combined and could have a major negative impact on travel for people returning from holiday destinations, heading back to school or resuming business activities.[http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/northeast-snowstorm-alert-thursday/21493316]}}

{{newsitem|Kairakuen Reopens for the First Time After Quake|7 February 2012|The earthquake that struck Japan last March, nearly a year ago, caused damage to Kairakuen Garden in [[Mito]], one of the official [[Japan's Top 3|top three gardens]] of Japan which forced them to close the garden in order to repair and restore the damaged sections. Now, restoration work has finally finished and the garden is open just in time for its famous plum blossom festival.}}

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{{newsitem| Four people dead due to a series of avalanches in Swiss_Alps|27 Dec| A series of avalanches in the Alps on Friday left four people dead, including a young Irishman, and several other skiers seriously injured, according to mountain rescue teams.[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/27/alps-avalanches-dead-injured-france-switzerland]}}

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{{newsitem| Two die as severe weather hits UK Christmas getaway|23 Dec| The deaths come as gale-force winds and heavy rain hit the Christmas getaway for road, rail, air and sea passengers. Fallen overhead power lines left thousands without electricity. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25484998]}}

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{{Newsitem|Floods in Southeastern Australia|3 February 2012|Residents of the [[Australia]]n states of [[New South Wales]] and [[Queensland]] are battling floods that have trapped over 17000 residents after heavy rains. 16 towns in NSW have been declared disaster zones, and the rains are expected to continue. [http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/residents-trapped-as-floodwaters-isolate-towns-20120203-1qxk6.html] [http://media.smh.com.au/news/environment-news/moree-and-taree-worst-hit-by-floods-2934288.html]}}

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{{newsitem| Major Ice Storm for New England|23 Dec| Winter Storm Gemini was winding down over New England Monday, but thousands of families could be spending Christmas Day without power after the storm brought down trees and utility lines from the Midwest to [[New_England]] during the weekend.[http://www.weather.com/news/weather-winter/winter-storm-gemini-monday-state-state-20131223]}}

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{{newsitem| Ice Storms darkens much of Ontario|23 Dec| Hundreds of thousands of Ontarians may spend Christmas in the dark, as the ice storm that left a path of destruction in Ontario and Quebec causes fresh damage and power outages in the Maritimes.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ice-storm-darkens-much-of-ontario-still-hitting-maritimes-1.2473933]}}

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{{Newsitem|Deep Freeze in Eastern Europe|3 February 2012|[[Eastern Europe]] has been experiencing extremely cold winter weather during the last days. Over hundred, chiefly homeless persons, have died in [[Ukraine]] when the temperature has dropped to -35°C (-31°F). The cold weather together with heavy snowfall is affecting major parts of Eastern Europe all the way down to [[Bulgaria]]. Temperatures are also low in other parts of Europe - for instance in [[UK]] the temperature has fallen to -11°C (12F), [[Italy]] has experienced the coldest week in 27 years and in [[Finland]] heavy snowfall has messed up all modes of traffic in the [[Helsinki|capital region]]. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16868194] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16860872] [http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Massive+delays+in+Helsinki+public+transport+as+accidents+caused+by+snow+and+ice+compound+the+chilly+conditions+/1135270321801]}}

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{{newsitem| Travel Warning South Sudan|17 Dec| The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to the Republic of [[South _Sudan]] and recommends that U.S. citizens currently in South Sudan depart immediately [http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_6234.html]}}

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{{Newsitem|Hungarian National Airline Malev Closes Down|3 February 2012|Due to financial problems the national carrier of [[Hungary]], Malev, has closed down its operations. Malev has racked up a debt of equal to the revenue of a whole year and after it was ordered to pay back various subsidizes Malev is unable to continue its business. There are no more departures after 5 AM (GMT). [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16866872]}}

{{eventsitem| Ice Sculpture Festival Zwolle, Netherlands|Until January 26, 2014 |In winter, [[Zwolle]]’s city centre serves as the backdrop for wonderful snow and ice sculptures. Dozens of Dutch and foreign artists will use 250,000 kilos of ice and 250,000 kilos of snow to create their unique works of art, which will be exhibited on Rodetorenplein square.[http://www.holland.com/uk/tourism/article/ice-sculptures-in-zwolle.html/] }}

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{{newsitem|Ice hockey world championship kicks off in Finland and Sweden|4 May 2012|For the first time the annual world championship in ice hockey will be held in two countries - Finland and Sweden. Half of the matches are to be played in [[Stockholm]] and the other half in [[Helsinki]] where also the final match takes place on the 20th of May.[http://www.iihf.com/channels-12/iihf-world-championship-wc12/home/welcome.html] }}

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{{eventsitem| Montreal Igloofest|January 16, 2014 - February 8, 2014 |Every winter thousands of electronic music lovers dance under the stars at the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal. With its icy décor blanketing steel structures, its striking architectural volumes, its programming drawing from the best local and international DJs, its igloo village, and its renowned "one piece" contest, Igloofest offers the hottest winter evenings in Montréal![http://www.igloofest.ca/] }}

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{{eventsitem| Natchitoches Christmas Festival, Louisiana|till 6 Jan |Over 300,000+ Christmas lights and 100 plus riverbank set pieces are on every night at dusk through January 6, 2014. Downtown attractions include carriages tours through the historic district. Shops and restaurants open late. All events take place in the Landmark Historic District along the Cane River Lake and along the Cane River Lake south of Natchitoches. The Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade is one of the most important elements of a day of festivities that brings more than 100,000 visitors to the City of Lights. [http://www.christmasfestival.com/] }}

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{{newsitem|Japan Introduces New and Cheaper Airlines|1 March 2012|In order to remain competitive in the airline industry and to encourage travel in [[Japan]], a few new airlines have begun operation in Japan with bases in different parts and even some international flights. The new airlines are Air Asia ([[Tokyo]]-based), Jet Star Japan (Tokyo), Peach Aviation ([[Osaka]]), SkyMark (Tokyo and [[Kobe]], and Air Do (Tokyo and [[Sapporo]]. The list of available flights is currently small but over the next few months new flights are being added, and some will even offer flights to [[Seoul]], [[Taipei]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Busan]].[http://www.japan-guide.com/news/0020.html]}}

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{{eventsitem| Cologne Christmas market |till 23 Dec|The city of Cologne offers 7 Christmas Markets in total. Among them are four big Christmas Markets located at the Cologne Cathedral, on the Alter Markt, on the Neumarkt and on the Rudolfplatz. Every year these wonderful four Christmas Markets attract almost 2 million visitors. The Christmas Market at the Cologne Cathedral is the most impressive one in Cologne, due to the huge backdrop of the imposing Cathedral. Christmas music, arts and crafts, toys, Christmas decorations and the scent of the Christmas bakeries create a wonderful atmosphere. It is not just children's eyes that light up when pewter pourers, wreath binders and glassblowers demonstrate their art, and the aroma of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and gingerbread fills the air. [http://www.cologne.de/events/christmas-markets]}}

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{{eventsitem| National Finals Rodeo, Las Vegas |5-14 Dec|The big bronc of rodeo competitions, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) sees Vegas taken over by cowboys ready to ride and wrestle their way towards immortality. Known on the circuit as the ‘Superbowl of Rodeo’, NFR ropes in the season’s top 15 competitors (based on the ProRodeo world standings) in each of professional rodeo’s seven events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing. At stake are not just their bones and pride, but around US$5.5 million in prize money, which even by Vegas standards is real currency. NFR is running in conjunction with the rodeo is the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center. [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/las-vegas/travel-tips-and-articles/77563#ixzz2mYM4jw1Q]}}

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{{newsitem|ANA Flies First Boeing 787 Dreamliner|1 Nov 2011|ANA is the first airline to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It's first flight took place this morning, traveling from [[Tokyo]] (Haneda) to [[Okayama]]. Another flight from Tokyo (Haneda) to [[Hiroshima]] took place later in the day. The Haneda-Okayama and Haneda-Hiroshima flights will be its first regular flights however, ANA hopes to eventually also use the planes for international flights. [http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2011/12/ana-boeing-787-dreamliner-tokyo-haneda-to-okayama-my-first-flight-review/]}}

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{{newsitem|MassKara Street Dance Competition|16 October 2011|[[Bacolod]]'s MassKara Festival's street dance is held today. This mardi-gras destival boasts it as the Festival of Smiles attracting thousands annually to witness the Street dance competition that covers the whole city with smiles of the masks of the dancers today.}}

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{{newsitem|Cypress Gardens reopens as Legoland Florida|15 October 2011|[[Florida]]'s oldest amusement park, Cypress Gardens in the city of [[Winter Haven]], reopens today as Legoland Florida after being closed for two years. The new park is the flagship property of the Legoland chain, owned jointly by Lego and the Merlin Entertainment Company.}}

Boasting the largest ski area in North America, Whistler is a popular winter snow-skiing and outdoor sports destination near Vancouver. If skiing or boarding is your thing, it's hard to be disappointed with Whistler-Blackcomb resort!(more...)

Saba, known as "The Unspoiled Queen" due to the protection of its unique ecosystem, is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It's one of the top destinations in the world to go scuba diving due to its sheer underwater cliffs, pinnacles, and the multitude of diving locations surrounding the island that each offer a unique experience. The people in the local dive shops are very friendly and great at teaching inexperienced people how to dive. (more...)